Cough medicine repurposed to fight dementia with lewy bodies
NCT ID NCT04588285
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This Phase 2 trial tests whether ambroxol, a common cough medicine ingredient, can slow cognitive decline and improve symptoms in people with early dementia with Lewy bodies. 180 participants will receive either ambroxol or a placebo for 18 months. The study measures changes in thinking, daily function, and psychiatric symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ambroxol (a cough medicine ingredient, repurposed as a potential brain treatment)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment that slows cognitive decline and eases symptoms in early dementia with Lewy bodies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 trial, so it's still early. The drug may not work better than placebo, and high doses could cause side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 180 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
May 2021
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
50 to 85 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female. 2. Age ≥ 50 and ≤ 85 years of age. 3. Confirmed diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Mild Cognitive Impairment in DLB (DLB-MCI). 4. MMSE score\>=15 5. Able and willing to provide informed consent prior to any study related assessments and procedures at screening visit 1. 6. Capable of complying with all study procedures. 7. Willing to provide blood samples for genetic analyses of APOE and GBA. 8. Willing and able to self-administer or administer by a caregiver oral ambroxol medication, from day 1 to study end (at 60 mg TID (day 1-7), 120 mg TID (day 8- 14), 315 BID (day 15-21), 315 mg TID (day 22-28) and 420 mg TID (day 29-550)). 9. Able to travel to the participating study site. 10. A female participant is eligible to participate if she is of: Non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 consecutive months of spontaneous amenorrhea, at least 6 weeks post-surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or post tubal ligation. In questionable cases, menopausal status will be confirmed by demonstrating levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 25.8 - 134.8 IU/L and oestradiol \< 201 pmol/l at entry. Women of child-bearing potential must use accepted contraceptive methods (listed below), and must have a negative serum at screening visit 1 and urine pregnancy tests at subsequent visits if applicable. An additional pregnancy test will be performed, and results obtained, prior to administration of the first dose of ambroxol. 11. A female participant is eligible to participate if she is of: Non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 consecutive months of spontaneous amenorrhea, at least 6 weeks post-surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or post tubal ligation. In questionable cases, menopausal status will be confirmed by demonstrating levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) 25.8 - 134.8 IU/L and oestradiol \< 201 pmol/l at entry. Women of child-bearing potential must use accepted contraceptive methods (listed below), and must have a negative serum at screening visit 1 and urine pregnancy tests at subsequent visits if applicable. An additional pregnancy test will be performed, and results obtained, prior to administration of the first dose of ambroxol. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current treatment with anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) that might preclude safe completion in the opinion of the Investigator. 2. Current use of investigational medicinal product or participation in another interventional clinical trial or who have done so within 30 days prior to the first dose in the current study. 3. Exposure to more than three investigational medicinal products within 12 months prior to the first dose in the current study; 4. Confirmed dysphagia that would preclude self-administration of ambroxol up to 6 tablets daily for the duration of day 1 to day 550/Month 18. 5. Significant known lower spinal malformations or other spinal abnormalities that would preclude lumbar puncture. 6. History of known sensitivity to the study medication, ambroxol or its excipients (lactose monohydrate, granulated microcrystalline cellulose, copovidone and magnesium stearate) in the opinion of the investigator that contraindicates their participation. 7. History of known rare hereditary disorders of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. 8. History of illegal substance abuse, drug abuse or alcoholism in the opinion of the Investigator that would preclude participation in the study. 9. Donation of blood (one unit or 350 ml) within three months prior to receiving the first dose of the study drug. 10. Pregnant or breastfeeding; All participants of child bearing potential in the opinion of the Investigator that would preclude participation in the study and who do not agree to use double-barrier birth control or abstinence while participating in the study and for two weeks following the last dose of study drug; 11. Any clinically significant or unstable psychiatric, medical or surgical condition that in the opinion of the PI or PI-delegated clinician may put the participant at risk when participating in the study or may influence the results of the study or affect the participant's ability to take part in the study, as determined by medical history, physical examinations, electrocardiogram (ECG), or laboratory tests. Such conditions may include: 1. Impaired renal function 2. Moderate/Severe hepatic impairment 3. A major cardiovascular event (e.g. myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, decompensated congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, coronary revascularisation that occurred within 6 months prior to the screening visit. 4. Major depression, delirium or psychosis not related to DLB. 5. Metastatic cancer or terminal illness. 12. Planned major surgery or other major treatments during study period that will interfere with study-obligations.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Dementia with lewy bodies are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
8 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital
RECRUITINGBergen, Norway
-
Helse Fonna
RECRUITINGHaugesund, Haugesund, 5504, Norway
-
Oslo University Hospital
RECRUITINGOslo, Norway
-
Stavanger University Hospital
RECRUITINGStavanger, Norway
-
Trondheim University Hospital
RECRUITINGTrondheim, Norway
-
University Hospital North-Norway
RECRUITINGTromsø, Norway
-
University Hospital, Akershus
RECRUITINGHågån, Norway
-
University Hospital, Akershus
RECRUITINGLørenskog, Norway
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a massive data registry crack the code of Parkinson's and related brain diseases?
- Could a quick sweat and pupil test spot early signs of dementia?
- Could a home sleep test unlock better dementia care?
- Can 30,000 patients reveal Parkinson's hidden patterns?
- Skin, speech, and brain scans may unmask hidden neurodegeneration
- Can sound waves soothe Dementia's emotional turmoil?